A fine sign! Clean, looks to be reasonably freshly painted, and adjacent to a parking lot. The town…read moresign is in front of Bethlehem's town hall, perhaps familiar to those who go to the Christmas fair. There is parking (as noted) a small playground off to the left, a memorial bench for those who want to sit and... sign watch, perhaps? It's also connected via parking lot to the Bethlehem library. For those with dogs, mine felt this was a wonderful sniffing opportunity, as he is less impressed with reading about history then I am.

Ever wonder where wagons, straw hats, and bonnets were manufactured in the 1700's? How about…read moreBethlehem, CT! I thought this two-sided marker was pretty interesting to read. Lots of information on the area's Indian history, colonial land sale to the European settlers, the military service of the early settlers (all the way back to the French and Indian War), and the area's industrial heritage. This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. There are different inscriptions on both sides. The marker is in pretty good condition with extremely minor evidence of early peeling and chipping of the blue background paint. The white lettering is crisp and undamaged. The full inscription reads: The spring session of the 1703 General Assembly granted to the town of Woodbury the right to enlarge its bounds. Negotiations with the Indian inhabitants were successfully concluded and in 1710 a deed of sale, signed by Nunawague and five other chiefs, conveyed to Woodbury nearly eighteen thousand acres, known thereafter as the North Purchase. This included the present town of Bethlehem and parts of the later Judea, now Washington. Surveyed in 1723 and, after proprietors were granted their rights, divided into lots, it was opened for sale. Pioneers arrived in 1734, settling on the heights northeast of the present center. In 1738 young Joseph Bellamy was called to preach during "winter privileges". Separate "society privileges" were granted in October, 1739. Bellamy was requested to continue as pastor, and so remained until his death in 1790, as the settlers established their own Bethlem Church and school. Doctor Bellamy became a most distinguished author, preacher and teacher, conducting the first theological school in America. Young men lived in the Bellamy home while he grounded them in his brand of scriptural interpretation and preaching methods. Among future leaders who studied there were Aaron Burr, Jonathan Edwards II, and James Morris. Bethlem men served in the French and Indian and all subsequent wars. Numerous are the captains and lieutenants buried in the Old Cemetery. Bethlem was incorporated as a separate town in 1787. Mainly a farming community until the 1900s, it had sufficient water power for 18th Century industries - fulling mills, cotton mill, woolen mill, wagon factory, straw hat and bonnet factory and miscellaneous manufactories of leather goods. Erected 1976 by Town of Bethlehem, The Old Historical Bethlehem Society, Inc., Connecticut Historical Commission.

This is a gorgeous, ancient tree in Granby, CT. The Dewey family farmed this land for many…read moregenerations. Eventually the farmland was sold and the land developed. Except for the parcel where the tree lives. Estimated to be 450+ years old, it is believed to be one of the oldest trees in New England. Which is a pretty big deal as land was being cleared from the 1600's for farms and the wood used to build homes, furniture, tools and more. The Dewey-Granby oak has lived through a lot of history: formation of the colonies, witch trials, King Philip's War, invention of the telephone, creation of the hamburger (yes, this happened in CT), submarines, Mark Twain (who lived in CT), hurricanes, rock 'n roll, space shuttles and on and on. This tree has been alive through it all. In 1997, the property was acquired by the Granby Land trust who care for the tree to this day. In time, the tree will succumb to age. It has some hollow limbs, others have fallen during storms and many rest on the ground. Knowing the tree will one day be a memory, the land trust has planted an acorn from this tree at the Salmon Brook Historical Society. The tree will live on. If you love nature, magnificent trees, history or are looking for an odd bit of 'roadside' interest, this is definitely a stop for you.

This two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission, with the familiar white lettering on a…read moreblue background, is located right in front of Town Hall on South Road. The marker dates to 1981 and is in pretty good condition, I noticed just a little bit of fade to the blue paint on the front. The reverse was in better shape. The marker tells the surprisingly interesting history of Hartland that includes raising over 300 troops to fight in the Revolutionary War, water powered saw mills, failed expeditions to the West, and the rise of agriculture (especially blueberries!). This little town is on the CT/MA border, and is way off the beaten path. But it sure has an interesting past. The full inscription reads: Proprietors from Hartford, those whose names appeared on the tax lists of 1720, were originally given the western land grants called Hart(ford)land, now known as the Town of Hartland. The first permanent settler in this area was Thomas Giddings, who came here from Lyme, June 12, 1754. The town was incorporated in 1761 and grew rapidly in population. Only a few short years thereafter, 359 troops were raised for Revolutionary War service in the Continental Army. The streams on the East and West Mountains were sources of water power and the "Hollow" was fertile bottom land. By 1800 the population reached 1,318. Much of the land had been cleared. Saw mills, grist mills, tanneries, and shops were operating. In 1836 John Ward and Sons began a calico mill and print works, the largest industry ever to be operated within the borders of Hartland. [ back ] The sunsets drew the settlers' eyes to the Western Lands. Many families left for Ohio, where their capacity for work, evidenced by the numerous stone walls in Hartland, would be better rewarded in the deep black soils. Titus Hayes with a group of friends made the "First Exodus" in 1811. The near starvation of the local population in 1816, the "Year With No Summer" and killing frost in every month, inspired another exodus. Only in recent years has the population returned to its late 18th century level. The abandoned farms soon grew to brush and sprout. Blueberries grew everywhere and they formed an important part of the cash crop of local farmers into the 1940's. Many farms were bought up by the State of Connecticut or agents of the Metropolitan District Commission in the 1930's. These collectively own about three-fourths of the town today. Again forested, with its fertile low land beneath the waters of the Barkhamsted Reservoir, Hartland typifies early rural New England. Erected by the Town of Hartland and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1981

It's nice this sign is on a quieter part of the road in front of the historical society, instead of…read morein front of another town hall. It is a little disappointing that the quiet road goes so fast. The sign is at a T intersection, and has a pull off just before the stop sign. There is no stop sign on Route 7, but cars move fast. Stop and observe this sign at your own caution! The actual sign needs a new coat of paint. It is still legible, but doesn't have as much information about Kent that I would have expected. The front and back say the same thing!

Ever run into the first name Barzillai before? Neither did I, but I saw his name on the marker. He…read morewas a historian and Kent's first lawyer. This is a 2-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It has the same inscription on each side. You'll find it on a small strip of grass where Kent Cornwall Road hits Cobble Road. The marker was dedicated in 1975 and is in below average condition with evidence of fading and chipping at the top of both sides. The full inscription reads: Kent Incorporated 1739 Flanders District, center of the First Division of land, housed the original Proprietors. Cobble Brook provided water and power for forges, tannery, cider, grist, fulling, and sawmills. Here were the first two churches, the school, general store, trading post, butcher and blacksmith shops, brickyard, animal pound, burial and parade grounds. BARZILLAI SLOSSON (1769-1812) first Kent lawyer and historian was born and lived here, also BIRDSEY GRANT NORTHROP (1817-1898) educator, champion of Arbor Day, founder of Village Improvement Societies. Erected 1975 by Town of Kent, Kent Historical Society and Connecticut Historical Commission.

The Harwinton marker is located on a small green on a ridiculous curve on Route 4, across from the…read moreCongregational church. Do not turn left to get out; yes it may be the direction you want to go in, but by the time you get a gap you could have found a better way by turning right or using a back road. The marker itself is well painted, with a cutesy mile direction sign for other towns nearby. A quick hit on the town signs of Connecticut tour!

Located on a teeny-tiny parcel of a green on Route 4, the Harwinton Historical Marker stands at the…read moreintersection of Litchfield Road and South Road. It's a 2-sided marker with the same text on both sides describing the origin and early history of the town. The text reads: Harwinton The town was settled in 1731, named in 1732 from Harry(tford) and Win(dsor), and became incorporated in October, 1737. Located on the Hartford-Litchfield Turnpike, Harwinton was primarily an agricultural community with many part-time industries carried on in conjunction with farming. Items produced included bricks, tinware, pitchforks, hats, cutlery, whetstones, barrels, and clocks by Hopkins and Alfred, Orson Barber, and Sheldon Osborne. Lead Mine Brook and its tributaries provided water power for many of the early industries. Construction of the first church began in 1740 and the first school was established in 1741. In the 1800's the town boasted two academies and two boarding schools. For many years there were twelve school districts throughout the town. One-room schoolhouses were in use until 1948. Erected by the Town of Harwinton and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1976 The marker is in pretty good shape, with crisp white lettering and good color on the blue background.

On the Litchfield Town Green stand four stone monuments honoring its citizens who served in…read moreAmerica's 20th century wars. There are single sided monuments for the vets of World War One, Korea, and Vietnam. The World War Two monument is two-sided. The respective inscriptions on each plaque precede the honor roll of names. Names with an asterisk were killed in the war The simple inscriptions read: In Honor Of The Men Of Litchfield Who Rendered Service In The World War 1917 - 1919 In Honor Of Those From Litchfield Who Served In World War II 1941 - 1947 In Honor Of Those From Litchfield Who Served In Korean War 1950 - 1955 In Honor Of Those From Litchfield Who Served In Vietnam War 1964 - 1975 There are about 900 names on these plaques -all Litchfield citizens who served their country across the decades of the 20th century. On the other side of the green is a monument that goes even further back in history -back to the Civil War The monuments are in excellent shape with small American flags around their bases. There is a large flagpole and cannon on the green overlooking the monuments. It's a lovely and understated tribute to the patriots of this small New England town.

This 2-sided State of CT historical marker was dedicated in 1979. It is located just west of the…read morebusy intersection of Routes 202 and 10, in a pretty town green near the Veterans Memorial and Town Gazebo. The inscription gives a brief account of Avon's history - how it spun off from Farmington, its farming heritage, and its boom on the heels of the Farmington Canal's completion. The plaque has identical engraving on both sides. The plaque and its paint finish are in very good condition. The inscription reads: Avon This area, formerly Northington or the North Parish of Farmington, was settled in 1645 on land that had belonged to the Tunxis Indians. It prospered as a farming community and, in 1830, after the construction and opening of the Farmington Canal, Avon was incorporated as a separate town with a population of 1,025. It was named after the Avon River in England. The Albany Turnpike (Route 44) was a heavily traveled thoroughfare, and its junction with the canal gave Avon considerable importance during the early to mid-nineteenth century as a transportation and commercial center. The brownstone buildings which house the Town Hall were constructed from local material by the Climax Fuse Company in 1907 and the buildings continued to be used for the manufacture of safety fuses until 1968. Many homes now dot the hillsides of Avon which once rang to the call of the canalmen. Erected by the Town of Avon The Avon Historical Society, Inc. and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1979

This two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission, with the familiar white lettering on a…read moreblue background, is located in the heart of Thomaston's municipal complex by Town Hall and the Police Department. Although the marker has a good location, it's sad to say that the marker is in a very distressed condition. Both sides have badly streaked and faded paint. The front side is in a more advanced state of failure than it's reverse side, because some of the front's white lettering has been completely obscured by time and the elements. The marker recounts Thomaston's history as a spin-off of Farmington, and its various name changes, mergers, and split-offs over the years. Seth Thomas, the legendary clockmaker, settled here in 1813, and because his clocks were in such demand, a railroad was built to connect what was soon known as "Thomas Town" to Waterbury. It's a great testament to one of the Pioneers of Industry that called Connecticut "home". The full inscription reads: Originally part of the Farmington Proprietors' purchase in 1684 of Mattatuck Plantation, the Thomaston area achieved independence in 1739, being set off as the Northbury Parish. In 1780 Northbury and Westbury united to form Watertown. By 1795 Northbury separated again to become Plymouth, with the Thomaston section designated "Plymouth Hollow." Seth Thomas came to the Hollow in 1813 to manufacture clocks on the present factory site. His influence helped to route the Naugatuck Railroad through Plymouth Hollow, linking it with the growing brass center at Waterbury. By 1856 Thomas was labeling his clocks with "Thomas Town" as the place of manufacture. [ back ] On July 6, 1875, separation from Plymouth was confirmed by the State Legislature. Thomas Town became Thomaston in memory of Seth Thomas and his famous clocks. A century later diversified industries, a sanitary sewerage system, a new library, modern schools and highways, special housing for the elderly, and sectional playgrounds exist. In addition an attractive business center, seven churches and several recreational parks all indicate that Thomaston has progressed beyond the dreams of our forefathers. Erected by the Town of Thomaston the Thomaston Historical Society, Inc. and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1973.